Julie Booher - Healthy & Happy: Find Food Freedom and Create the Body You Love

First published in 2021 by Fremont Press

Copyright 2021 Julie Booher

All rights reserved

No part of this publication may be reproduced or distributed in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, or stored in a database or retrieval system, without prior written permission from the publisher.

ISBN-13: 978-1-628604-28-3

The information included in this book is for educational purposes only. It is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. The reader should always consult their healthcare provider to determine the appropriateness of the information for their own situation or if they have any questions regarding a medical condition or treatment plan. Reading the information in this book does not constitute a physician-patient relationship. The statements in this book have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The products or supplements in this book are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. The authors and publisher expressly disclaim responsibility for any adverse effects that may result from the use or application of the information contained in this book.

Author photos Ellie Neely

Cover design by Kat Lannom & Justin-Aaron Velasco

Interior design by Crizalie Olimpo & Elita San Juan

Printed in Canada

TC 0121

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To my sweet Leo Alexander Novak. It was an honor working on this book while I was growing you in my belly.

Im so glad you made the decision to pick up this book!

Within these pages, you will find my secret saucemy personal recipe that helped me stop obsessing over food and my body and truly step into my power.

This book gives you the tools you need to create a body and life you love. Its a lighthearted, fun approach to changing your lifestyle and covers everything from shifting your mindset and changing your morning routine to body confidence tips and food strategies that will help you become more balanced. Its everything I wish Id known when I was first starting out because it wouldve saved me years of struggle.

Before we begin, I want you to understand something: I feel your pain. I truly, genuinely do. Food obsession took control over years of my life.

There were days when Id sit in my closet crying because nothing fit anymore, even though I spent hours in the gym every week. There were times when Id cancel plans with friends because I was too scared to eat out and couldnt trust myself around food. I stopped dating, I was insecure at work, and I stopped showing up in the world in the powerful way I knew deep down I was capable of. Nothing hurts worse than knowing youre meant for more than focusing on food all the time but not knowing how to let go.

Along my journey, as I worked past the constant insecurity and theres-something-wrong-with-me mindset, I realized an important insight: The more I tried to control food, the more it controlled me. The more effort I took to change my body, the more it backfired. I realized that if I wanted to change my relationship with food and my body, I had to look beyond what I was currently focusing on: food and my body. I had to look at the reasons why I was so obsessed in the first place. I had to rewire my brain to view myself and my life more optimistically. I had to work on improving my habits and essentially rebuild my life from the inside out.

I want you to know that change is possible, and it is absolutely within your power to feel great about food and your body.

This book is sprinkled with serious moments, some lighthearted quips, and what I hope will be super transformative, powerful insights that inspire you to make changes in your life and end the obsession with food and exercise (or whatever youre struggling with) for good.

I speak mostly about struggling with food and body obsession in this book, but you can apply the concepts I share in all aspects of your life. So, if you find yourself struggling in other areas, try using these tools to address those as well.

Before we get into the good stuff, Ill leave you with my intentions for this book (because, as youll find out, intentions are powerful):

I hope this book finds you at the exact time you need it most.

I truly believe it is in your hands for a reason.

I want you to use this book as a tool in your toolbox. Not every single tip in this book will apply to you, but that is OK. Take what works; ditch what doesnt.

As I always tell my clients, take it one tiny, baby step at a time. Is there something that jumps out at you and gives you goosebumps? Have you highlighted an entire page and scribbled in the margins to the point where its no longer legible? Thats your heart whispering, Start here.

You have this book for a reason.

Highlight, take notes, scribble.

Be open, listen, receive.

Trust yourself. Trust your intuition. Trust that you have the power to change, because you do.

This is your journey. This is your life.

Your life is way too precious to waste another moment obsessing about food, exercise, and your body.

Were all born with potential for greatness.

You, my dear, have unique gifts and talents within you that are waiting to come to the surface. You just need to be willing to let go of control, cultivate those unique gifts, and create the space to manifest a body and a life you love.

Disclaimer: This book is not intended to provide medical advice or diagnose or treat any type of eating disorder. Please consult your healthcare professional if you think you are experiencing something in this vein.

To YOU who are reading this book: My missionto help people change their relationship with food and their bodyis truly what pulls me out of bed in the morning. I'd like to first acknowledge my clients, people who listen to my podcast, people whove read this book, and the people who put their trust in me to help guide them in a positive direction. It fills my heart with so much joy whenever I hear how something Ive said has made a positive difference in a persons life, and I am forever grateful.

To my family and friends: I love you all more than you know. You give me such courage and loving acceptance to be who I am and chase after my dreams. Your support means the world to me.

To my amazing team at Victory Belt: This whole project would not be possible without you. Writing a book has been on my bucket list for as long as I can remember, and Im so grateful that you all saw my vision and helped me bring it to life. Thank you all, from the bottom of my heart!

For as long as I can remember, Ive identified as a perfectionist. From childhood, I derived my worth and value from the grades I would get. A or B = good job. Anything below that was unacceptable.

Childhood is when my people-pleasing tendencies started to emerge. I would do whatever it took to fit in with the crowd, even if that meant shape-shifting into a different version of myself.

I was never notably overweight as a child, but I did develop faster than a lot of my friends. One day, a friend and I were walking home from school. A group of guys from our middle school, who were being driven home by an older brother, decided it would be funny to roll down the window and yell, Nice love handles!